Although formed only a few years before the dawn of the third millennium, Örebro, Sweden's Wolf rekindled the sonic identity and raw energy of heavy metal's "classic" period, circa the New Wave of British Heavy Metal of 20 years before -- particularly the sounds of the mighty Iron Maiden. With his multi-tracked guitar heroics and air-raid siren-style voice leading the charge, frontman Niklas Olsson was perfectly suited for the task, but he also received unfaltering backup from sympathetic bassist Mikael Goding and drummer Daniel Bergkvist, as proven by the band's stunning year 2000 eponymous debut. A second guitarist named Henrik Johansson was hastily added to provide lead guitar harmonies for Wolf's upcoming tour (supported by 2001's four-song Moonlight EP), but then almost immediately discarded in favor of Johan Bülow, who lasted long enough to perform on 2002's sophomore Black Wings album. Wolf had once again been reduced to a trio by the time of 2004's Evil Star album, which, like all of the band's product, was recorded at famed Abyss Studios, with producer Peter Tägtgren at the helm. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia